Curriculum

The 1st Class Travel & Tourism Academy remains to be the leading travel academy in the Philadelphia area.  Our reputation throughout the travel community is based on our intense and unbiased curriculum.  Unlike classes offered on the internet, our program is hands-on with an instructor present to assist with questions and concerns.  When time permits, guest speakers from the travel & tourism industry are invited to lecture.  These speakers are representatives from the cruise lines, tour operators, airlines and travel agencies.  Most online classes are not licensed by the state and do not include job placement.  We are a state licensed school, offer lifetime job placement assistance to graduates, and located on the same premises as a full service travel agency which enables us to incorporate the latest trends into our course immediately. 

Introduction To Travel
An overview of the travel and tourism industry including the career choices in travel, benefits, and identification of major travel industry organizations.  Open discussions on events in the travel field include:  Working from home as a Home Based Travel Agent; using the internet; new trends in the industry.

Geography
Travel destinations based on present interest and future trends.  The subject matter includes details of the location, transportation, political stability and the level of tourism infrastructure of each destination.  Description of attractions unique to each with respect to culture, history, environment, economy, and entertainment.

Sabre
Students receive hands-on instruction and work at their own pace.  Our Sabre program includes:  Airline, Car Rental and Hotel reservations, Airline seating, Special requests.  Fare tariffs and pricing.  An instructor is present to review each chapter and assist students with questions and concerns.

Travel Writing
Learn how to write winning travel articles, journals and memoirs that publishers look for.  Lessons teach structure, style and tone, research resources, and how to market your travel writing piece.  Optional writing exercises are included.

Air Travel
Introduction to terminology, city/airport codes, airline codes, fare codes, classes of service, and airfare rules and restrictions.  Use of reference materials and researching the lowest airfares are taught including the use of a consolidator.  Travel documentation (passports, visas) and travel health are discussed.  In addition, airline policies, procedures, and services adn passengers rights are also taught.

Sales and Marketing Techniques
Students learn sales and customer relations techniques that assure successful travel careers.  Subjects include:  qualifying clients, researching itineraries, answering objections, closing sales effectively, making reservations accurately, increasing product knowledge, and obtaining an IATAN card which allow travel agents to receive industry perks.  Professional ethics and the dos and don'ts of becoming travel industry professionals is discussed.  Problem solving, listening and good communications is also studied.  We also teach marketing and advertising techniques that will enable students to develop their own client database.

Ground Transportation (Car Rentals and Rail)
Car rental policies and procedures include:  requirements to rent a car, rental agreements, car codes and classifications, rental rates, and car rental insurance.  Amtrak, Eurail and luxury rail systems including the Orient Express are studied.  Rail passes, accommodations and dining are taught.

Resorts and Accommodations
Our extensive study includes:  guest preferences, types of properties, classifications and hotel ratings, ADA requirements for travelers with special needs, unique regional properties, price factors, references and resources, and fitting the right property to the right client.

Tours and Packages
Understanding touring, tour options, destinations, tour development and operations.  Students learn to research the product availabilities and rates - and then to sell, book reconfirm or cancel reservations through the computer, internet or telephone.  Reading and understanding tour operator's brochures and policies.  Consumer travel rights and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Travel Writing
Learn the skills, structure, and craft necessary to produce travel articles, journals, blogs, and essays.  Market and sell your piece to editors and publishers.

Specialized Travel, Groups and Corporate Incentives
Opportunities for involvement in group and specialized travel.  Tour costing, marketing and escorting.  Study of adventure and unique travel experiences including eco-tourism.

Cruises
Introduction to cruise ship terminology and study of cruise guides.  Worldwide ports of call and special interest cruises are studied.  Cruise ship accommodations, pricing, and understanding brochures id discussed.  Students receive information on shipboard life including: onboard activities and amenities, dining options and special meals, spa services, shoreside tours, guests with special travel needs, and entertainment.  Selling cruises and overcoming objections is taught.

Career Counseling and Job Placement
A seminar on job interviewing includes:  putting pizzazz into your resume, securing a job interview, dressing for success, handling interview questions and answers effectively, filling out a job application, dos and don'ts of interviewing.

Destination Research Portfolio
Each student is responsible for researching and making a written presentation on a destination, which is assigned by the instructor.  Included in this presentation, the student will research information for a domestic city, an international city, a cruise and complete an itinerary for their assigned destination.

Additional Study
During the semester, students receive handouts and booklets informing them about travel scams, unique and interesting destinations and accommodations, travel law, and the latest trends in the industry.